Margarites - Arkadi - Patsos
Reviews
Details
6 - 8 hours
Medium
2 - 6 persons
Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday
Small group
09:00 (Depending on your hotel)
Hotels in Rethymno district
Highlights
- Discover Margarites village, its extraordinary architecture and lovely narrow streets
- Watch the demonstration of traditional pottery making
- Enjoy a traditional coffee at the kafeneio while having a breathtaking view
- Admire the remarkable scenery of Arkadi monastery and learn about its history
- Explore the Patsos gorge, its natural beauty and its rich flora and fauna
- Feel the religiousness of the unique cavernous church of St. Antony
- Taste the Cretan gastronomy at a local taverna and enjoy the house wine
Every Stop a Unique Experience
A small beautiful village
We will start the tour by visiting a beautiful well-hidden village, Margarites. The tradition of pottery goes back many generations in this village and you will be able to find an elder to show you how the pots are hand thrown. The village, which has some extraordinary architecture and lovely narrow winding streets, is worth being explored. You will wander through Margarites, watch a demonstration of creating unique pottery products at an expert's workshop and then enjoy a traditional coffee at a small kafeneio.
A small beautiful village
Feel the sanctity of Arkadi
Feel the sanctity of Arkadi
After a 25' drive, we will continue to the religious and historical part of the tour. The goal is to make you familiar with Cretan culture and religious customs. Arkadi Monastery is perhaps the best known monastery in Crete due to the Holocaust of 1866. However, its location and impressive architecture make it all more special. It is a large fortified complex built during the end of the period of Venetian rule. We will escort you to explore this magnificent monument, but, since our guides are not official, it is forbidden for them to give tours inside historical monuments. If you wish to have an official history guide, we will be happy to book one for you upon communication!
Let’s explore the nature of Crete
The gorge of Patsos is a small yet magnificent gorge, which begins at Ano Assites. The whole area around the gorge is of particular natural beauty. In the gorge one can see rare species of flora and fauna, which are protected by European legislation. In fact, there are 80 species of flora, of which 4 are protected, 24 species of fauna, of which 11 are protected and 16 species of birds, of which 8 are protected. You are going to enjoy a small picnic at the facilities of the gorge, as you are watching a spring of running water near the river. A beautiful attraction of the gorge is the cavernous church of St. Anthony in the rocky walls, a former temple of Hermes. From there you will follow the trail to Potami dam. On the sides of the gorge there is an observation deck for birds in the area. Usually, hiking lasts about 3 1/2 hours but depending on the weather and physical condition of the travelers, we could hike more or less. The tour ends with the most wonderful way: full lunch and house wine in a traditional local restaurant so as to taste the Cretan way of cooking.
Let’s explore the nature of Crete
What’s Included
Hotel pick up and drop off (Only Rethymno district)
English or French speaking guide
Local driver/guide
Transport by air-conditioned car/mini bus
All taxes, fees and handling charges
Entrance to the monastery
Learn about the religion of Crete
Walk in the beautiful gorge of Patsos
Lunch (vegetarian option included)
Lots of raki and laughter :)
ADULTS | 125 EURO P/P |
CHILDREN (3 - 12) | 50% |
INFANTS (0 - 2) | FREE |